Cardinal butterfly

The cardinal butterfly (Argynnis Pandora) is the largest of the European fritillaries with a wingspan of up to 8 centimetres. It is fairly common in southern Europe, inhabiting woodland edges and flowery meadows up to 2000 metres above sea level. It flies in early summer.

The cardinal is bright orange-brown with black spots and lines. The underside forewings have a pinkish-red patch. The brown caterpillar has a wide black band with grey flecks down the back, plus rows of branched brown spines. It feeds at night and pupates under a leaf of the food plant, which is violet. Adult cardinals are particularly attracted to thistle flowers.

© John Welford